Demonstrators and lawmakers rally against President Donald Trump and his ally Elon Musk as they disrupt the federal government, including dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Nichols noted that staffers living overseas have said the administration had cut some workers off from government emails and other communication systems required to reach the U.S. government in case of a health or safety emergency.
USAID contractors in various regions, including the Middle East, even reported that "panic button" apps had been removed from their phones or disabled when the administration abruptly placed them on leave.
"Administrative leave in Syria is not the same as administrative leave in Bethesda," the judge said.
The American flag flying alone beside an empty flagpole that previously had the flag of USAID is pictured in the reflection of a window that previously had the sign and the seal of USAID, Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. (AP)
Nichols emphasized in the hearing earlier Friday that his order to pause the administration's actions was not a decision on the employees' request to block the administration's efforts to quickly destroy the agency.
"CLOSE IT DOWN," Trump said on Truth Social, referring to USAID, ahead of the judge’s ruling.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/judge-blocks-trump-from-placing-2200-usaid-workers-leave